Peacock Cake For A Retirement Party

How would you make a peacock tail that trails down the side of the cake. It will be a two tier cake. If I have to attach the feathers to wire first how would you attach the feathers to the wire (sorry) new to this. Any ideas or suggestions is greatly appreciated. I have to make this cake for the end of the month.

Have you tried Googling a peacock cake tutorial? I did one about a week ago..not the best and I got some good tips. I cut a fondant "apron" shaped like a teardrop and laid it down over the layers. Then I just wet the back of each feather and stuck it to the apron. Here is the advice that was given to me and what I will do different next time. Add texture to the tail feathers and not place them all flat and symetrical....

That isn't at all how I would do it. I would do it very similar to the petal cake.

As a matter of fact, I have been practicing for an Oct. 5 cake.

I don't think you need to put the feathers on wires. You'll be able to attach them with royal or buttercream.

I do recommend using at least a mix of both fondant & gumpaste. You'll want to be able to give the feathers a bit of movement so they aren't lying flat against the cake.

Just googled, and there are several good tutorials. Remember that if you do cut an "apron" or "blanket", you'll want that to be gumpaste so it doesn't also mold up against the cake and look flat & lifeless.

I don't think you will need to wire them - you can build them up on the cake .... (and as Batterup has suggested) make sure they have texture and movement - you can use lace moulds, dry them to leather stage or support with tiny pieces of cut up cosmetic sponge, folded paper towels etc - this is a pic that shows how much better it can look when you have some texture & movement

That's gorgeous Pam...my computer is sucking so I can't open your links DD...The instructions I had said to use an apron so I know it can be done and turn out better. But as you guys told me I would allow mine to dry next time with a little shape and texture before attaching to the apron...

I don't like the 'apron' method - totally unnecessary - just extra gumpaste - and you end up having to put a really 'unnatural' layer of feathers to try and HIDE the apron.... any 'movement' in the feathers will be lost

Thank you all so very much! This will help me. I also did some searching for a peacock feather mold and found a perfect one to use. I found it at A&H Cake Deisgn their site is http://www.ahcakedesign.com/mn323-peacock-feather.html if you would like to check it out. I'm really nervous about this one. I think I will use the apron method and attached them to it using royal icing. I must have been crazy to agree to make this cake.

I don't think you will need to wire them - you can build them up on the cake .... (and as Batterup has suggested) make sure they have texture and movement - you can use lace moulds, dry them to leather stage or support with tiny pieces of cut up cosmetic sponge, folded paper towels etc - this is a pic that shows how much better it can look when you have some texture & movement

Cake is by Flora Aghababyan

So amazed you posted this. I've a copy of this cake in my files for years. I love this cake!

The other thing I am worried about since my cake will be all butter cream is that all of the feathers attached to the butter cream will end up being heavy and causing the ibutter cream to pull away from the cake. Also, will this be hard to transport with it already placed on the cake. Your input is greatly appreciated

Is that a buttercream cake. Also did you use gumpaste or fondant for the peacock feathers? The other thing I am worried about since my cake will be all butter cream is that all of the feathers attached to the butter cream will end up being heavy and causing the ibutter cream to pull away from the cake. Also, will this be hard to transport with it already placed on the cake. Your input is greatly appreciated

AWell you might want to check with the person who's expecting the cake to see what their definition of a peacock cake is. As you can see there are varying interpretations and you don't want to turn up with something completely out of the realm.

ASuzanne, wow those are beautiful. You answered one more question I had and that was should I start from the top or bottome placing the feathers on, thank you. Are all of these with fondant icing or buttercream, they look like fondant. Mine will be buttercream, and I've been a little nervous about the feathers being to heavy after placing them all on the cake. I plan on making the feathers as thin as possible. Thank you so much for sharing your cakes and information.

Oh, one last question, did you transport it completed or did you complete it on site?

AKikiandkyle, thanks for your reply. The first picute the customer sent me was of a peacock painted on, I called her and told her I could not paint, but I could make one from gumpaste or fondant. She told me if I could incorporate her colors that would be great and if not then do it however I wanted, which makes it easier. Her colors are teal, lime green and brown.